Peter Schorsch
So, let’s imagine an imaginary senator—we’ll call him Mack Trackvalla—who gets into a bit of a pickle for some allegedly inappropriate behavior.
There’s an outcry, followed by calls for his resignation, which he laughs at. “I’ll see the place burn first!” this imaginary lawmaker tells news media.
A complaint to the Rules Committee soon follows, then an investigation, which some call a witch hunt, others say isn’t in-depth enough.
No matter. The unthinkable, at least for Trackvalla, happens: The Rules Committee recommends expulsion. Reporters go wild.
The question goes to the floor, and after impassioned debate, Trackvalla is ousted as more than two-thirds of his colleagues vote to boot him out of the chamber.
With a vacant seat, a special election is called.
Then Trackvalla comes up with an ingenious solution and an “F” you to his now-former colleagues: He’s going to qualify to run for his old seat in that special election.
Here’s the thing: There’s no legal bar preventing him from doing so (and I looked).
Trackvalla could tap into his still-loyal contributor network and raise the funds he needs, or he could just spend the MILLIONS he already has in the bank.
Fast forward, and miracle of miracles, he wins. Now what?
Turn to Article III, section 2 of the state Constitution: “Each house shall be the sole judge of the qualifications, elections, and returns of its members….”
What’s a Senate President to do? Say, “We expelled you before, and we’re not letting you back in”? He certainly could. And there’s nowhere to go to appeal.
But this is all just the musings of a distracted mind. Still, food for thought.
